The DoomScroller, a smartphone tripod for the COVID-19 pandemic

Moved to GitHub

2024-01-10: All future updates will come through GitHub:
https://github.com/jon-le0234/DoomScroller

The work started growing too fast to manage two projects each on Thingiverse and Printables, so moved everything into one place.

Eventually updates will flow back to this repository but simply as a copy and paste of what is organized from GitHub.

Remix: HopeScroller

2023-10-20: Check out the portable remix, the HopeScroller!

https://www.printables.com/model/569377-hopescroller-the-portable-doomscroller

Presenting

The DoomScroller, a smartphone tripod for the COVID pandemic.

There are many tripods designed for smartphones, but this one is designed specifically for extended scrolling at home during the COVID pandemic, e.g., in bed, on the couch, on a recliner, on a table. Perfect for Netflix, FaceTime, and social media. Designed with accessibility in mind.

What is doomscrolling?

Doomscrolling or Doomsurfing is the act of spending an excessive amount of screen time devoted to the absorption of negative news.

I took a harm reduction approach. People are probably going to be doom scrolling anyways, so you may as well try to keep yourself safe while you're at it. No need to hurt your hands, neck, or eyes if you don't have to.

Origin

During one of several COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, I started to feel some strain in my hands and neck from scrolling all of the social media timelines on my smartphone. There was nowhere to go, nobody to visit, vaccines still being developed, all a person could do during the winter months was to escape into their smartphone for work and personal reasons.

There were already some fine mounting and tripod projects on Thingiverse, so I remixed them.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4694593
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2194278
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4739696

Printing Instructions

1. Pick a length for your DoomScroller's legs, either 150 mm (file 1a) or 220 mm (file 1b). I'm 5'10" (178 cm) tall, and I prefer the 220 mm legs myself.
2. Pick a mounting style. iPhone 12 and 13 users may want to use the MagFace (7a), and most users will need the Frame (7b).
3. Files are listed from bottom to top of the DoomScroller. Printing a plate with the 150 mm legs and Frame mount with my Prusa i3 MK3S, it takes about 8 hours at 0.300 mm layer height.

Non-3D-Printed Parts Required

• Three (3) of M3x8 mm socket head cap screws
• Three (3) of M3 hex nuts
• Three (3) of M5x20mm hex bolt
• Three (3) of M5 hex nuts

Colour Schemes

You can do whatever you want here, truly, but here are some ideas based on my prototypes. See uploaded photos of colour experiments with an older design.

Two-Tone

• Dominant colours: Legs (1ab), Hip (2), Neck (3), Ball Joint split (5), MagFace (7a) or Frame base (7b), Frame lock (7b).
• Accent colours: Knob (4), Ball Joint screw (6), and Frame screw (7b).

Logos

e.g., companies, sports teams, flags

Consider how many colours are used and how much area each one takes in the overall image. Usually there will be one or two dominant colours, and then some accent colours. You can even get different colours for the screws and nuts.

• Dominant colours: Legs, Neck, Hip, Frame Base, Frame Lock.
• Accent colours: Hip, Knob, Ball Joint Screw, Frame Screw, metal screws.

See the example photo of the Edmonton Oilers' McDavid jersey with an older prototype I made for a friend. I got lucky with this logo because of the oil derrick structure and orange oil drop look created by the ball joint.

Print one and give it away to someone in need!

Customizing Clamp

Parametric

Using the DoomScroller Parametric Clamp.f3d, you can customize the clamp based on the size of your device. Fusion360 is free for personal use. 

How to change parameters (see screenshots):

1. Once installed, open the DoomScroller Parametric Clamp.f3d file.
2. Navigate to Solid > Modify > Change Parameters.
3. Change the parameter for deviceWidth.
4. Change the parameter for deviceDepth.
5. (optional) Change the parameter for deviceHeight. Merely for cosmetic purposes.
6. In the Browser menu, expand the Bodies item.
7. Right-click the Clamp frame item.
8. Click the Save as Mesh item.
9. In the Save as Mesh menu, click OK.
10. Save the file to your computer.
11. Right-click the Clamp frame item.
12. Repeat steps 8 to 10.
13. Print!

Updates

2022-08-07: Uploaded some STEP files.

2023-06-21: Re-uploaded file for "3a DoomScroller - Neck PanaVise 300 305" which also appeared to be corrupted.

2023-06-12: Adding a new curved leg. The straight one placed pressure on my tummy and ribs, so now it sits comfortably around my torso. The radius is 160 mm with an additional 40 mm straight shin for a bit of added height. Also replaced the PanaVise hip because the previous version wasn't sturdy enough. Re-uploaded the straight Leg 75 because the file looked empty.

2023-05-15: Added new files for use with PanaVise 300 and 305 bases, which I got to share with Josef Prusa himself at the Calgary Maker Faire! They have a 360º horizontal swivel and 90º vertical tilt, so no need to reinvent the wheel. Also added 75 mm leg for @SherDG.

2023-05-09: Added multiple Frame bases for iPads, from mini to Pro 12.9. Should fit everything in between, so please let me know if it doesn't. 
Renumbered "Frame lock" and “Frame screw” from to “8” and “9” respectively because it was confusing that they shared “7b" with the frame bases, suggesting they were interchangeable.
Replaced the gcode with plates for the Dominant and Accent colours. Monochromatic DoomScrollers aren't too pretty.

2022-04-22: Replaced images with higher res versions. Edited some aspects of description. Uploaded additional photos colour variations of previous prototypes.

2022-04-21: Uploaded for “Smartphone and Tablet Stand” contest.

2023-11-10: Uploading a parametric Fusion360 model, DoomScroller Parametric Clamp.f3d, for customizing the clamp's frame and movable jaw for your smartphone. Should be easier to customize a clamp for your phone's unique dimensions, including cases/Pop Sockets/magnetic plates/camera bumps. I'll still produce a few combos, and this file will make it easier.
Also changing the name because HopeScroller doesn't really roll off the tongue the same way as DoomScroller. 

Combined both projects to have locking tripod legs